An East Asian traditional leaf remedy (Shi Wei) used for urinary complaints and kidney stones. Laboratory and animal work suggests free-radical scavenging, reduced kidney-stone formation, and an early bone-protection signal, but no human trials, safety testing, or agreed dose exist. The most grounded possibilities are kidney-stone prevention and antioxidant activity, both still uncertain. (Full Review)
| Marker | Target | Why |
|---|---|---|
| eGFR | >90 mL/min/1.73 m² | Confirms kidney filtering capacity is preserved while using a urinary-active herb |
| Serum creatinine | 0.7–1.1 mg/dL | Detects any decline in kidney function |
| 24-hour urinary oxalate | <30 mg/24 h | Tracks the main driver of calcium-oxalate stones, the herb's traditional target |
| 24-hour urinary citrate | >320 mg/24 h | Higher citrate inhibits stone formation; gauges overall stone risk context |
| Heavy metals (cadmium, lead) | Below reference limits | Flags contaminant exposure from a metal-accumulating fern |
Cadence: Baseline, then a short follow-up at ~4–8 weeks, then every 6–12 months for long-term use